(FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP) – Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chairman and Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden today were joined by local police officers to bring attention to the need for all motorists to share the road with all motorcycles – including those ridden by law enforcement.

“New Jersey has more than 300,000 motor cycle riders traveling Garden State roadways,” said Martinez. “They are our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents and even those men and woman who risk their lives to protect us each and every day.”

Variable Message Signs have been stationed in fourteen municipalities in the days leading up to today’s rally to help spread the message and to mark May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in New Jersey.

“Everyday, our officers work tirelessly to protect our communities and help provide a safer environment for our families,” said Sheriff Golden. “They were on the front lines during Sandy, and now, it’s our turn to protect them by encouraging motorists to safely share the road with their motorcycles.”

Using dedicated federal motorcycle safety funds, the MVC has produced public service messages and campaign materials that appear on its motorcycle safety website www.njridesafe.org. The site provides a wealth of information for riders including safety tips, statewide safety course locations, proper equipment, guidance and valuable links.

At the end of 2012, there were 336,764 New Jersey residents who were licensed to ride a motorcycle. In 2012, sixty-five motorcycle riders lost their lives in motorcycle-related crashes in this state.

According to a report issued by the Governors Highway Traffic Safety Association last month, annual motorcycle fatalities increased nationwide about nine percent in 2012. However, during the same period of time, motorcycle fatalities in New Jersey declined by twenty-four percent. In fact, New Jersey was one of only sixteen states nationwide to post a decline last year, and it joined Delaware as being one of only two states in the northeast to report fewer fatalities than the previous year.

“As the weather gets warmer, more riders are taking to the roads,” said Martinez. “Fortunately, a positive trend has emerged on our state’s roads, and we encourage motorists and riders to do what is necessary to ensure it continues.”

The MVC presently oversees the New Jersey Motorcycle Safety Education Program, which regulates nine not-for-profit and for-profit providers throughout the state. Approximately 8,400 riders are trained annually through the program.

“Our program providers offer a very thorough review of every aspect of motorcycle safety,” added Martinez. “With course materials created by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, basic and experienced riders are instructed by true experts on a variety of important topics including proper riding gear, safe operation and basic skills.”

Martinez noted that the foundation also publishes a helpful list of steps that both riders and motorists can take to help prevent accidents. The complete list can be found on the foundation’s website at www.msf-usa.org. For more information about New Jersey’s motorcycle safety efforts, please visit www.njridesafe.org.